CBD is known for its calming and healing properties, and recent studies show that it’s equally effective in humans and animals like dogs and cats. People often give their pets CBD oil, chews, or balms to help them with mobility, pain, anxiety, aggression, seizures, allergies, and appetite-related issues. Unlike traditional medications for pets, CBD is a much more healthy, natural, and cost-effective option.
Even some veterinarians now suggest CBD oil to pet parents for post-surgery pain management. Another reason for CBD’s growing demand among pet owners is its non-intoxicating properties.
So, after taking CBD, your pet won’t get drowsy or lazy; in fact, it may just end up increasing their focus and energy. But there are so many CBD products, and some pet owners don’t understand how long it will take to see the effects.
Generally speaking,CBD oil for pets starts to show effects within 30 minutes of consumption, but there are many other factors to it. In this article, we will explore what determines the CBD onset time in pets, the reasons behind it, and the best and optimum ways to use it.

Factors that decide CBD onset time in pets
The time it will take for CBD to show effects in pets depends on multiple factors. In general, a normal-sized, healthy cat or dog may feel less anxious and calm within 30–45 minutes of consumption.
But this cannot be used as a standard time because every pet has a different body chemistry. Your pet’s weight, age, eating habits, medicine history, and nature play a crucial role in determining the onset time. Another factor is the type of CBD product you use and its administration method.
The fastest way is to drop the desired amount of CBD oil directly into your pet’s mouth. This results in faster absorption through the blood capillaries in the mouth and leads to immediate relief. It works best at times when your pet gets aggressive or becomes scared from the sound of a thunderstorm, cracker bursting, or sudden loud noises.
CBD soft chews or treats have a slower onset time as compared to CBD oils. Another way is to opt for edibles like CBD soft chews and treats. In this method, the absorption and onset times are higher because CBD first passes through the digestive system before getting metabolized.
Chews are perfect if you want to provide your pet with delayed relief. For example, if your dog is having trouble sleeping, you can give it a soft chew a few hours before sleep time. This will slowly release the CBD in your dog’s system, make it relaxed and less anxious, and knock it into a deep sleep.
Mixing CBD oil in your pet’s food is also a great option and is perfect for pets who are picky about consuming medicines and supplements directly. This is also a slow method, but it helps in avoiding gastrointestinal issues. Consistency is the key, and It may take a few weeks to months for complete relief from the ailment.
How does CBD work in pets?
Cannabidiol or CBD, one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa plants, works similarly in both humans and animals. For example, your beloved cat or dog has an endocannabinoid system in their body just like humans. This endocannabinoid system is spread throughout the body, with a high density of receptors in the brain and nervous system.
The endocannabinoid system is involved in controlling and balancing a variety of physiological processes like anxiety levels, stress response, sleep cycles, metabolic rate, pain perception, memory, hormonal levels, inflammation, stress, appetite, and more.
It’s a complex cell signaling network consisting of various cannabinoid receptors, non-cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes. When your pet consumes a few drops of CBD oil, it enters their bloodstream and affects the working of these cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptors.
It doesn’t bind to them but improves their functioning and sensitivity which results in soothing and therapeutic effects. Its main targets are CB1 and CB2 receptors, which already work with the body’s internal endocannabinoids, hence becoming even more efficient when external cannabinoids like CBD enter the body.
Are there any side effects of CBD for pets?
Sometimes people worry about overdosing their pets on CBD accidentally. But there’s nothing to worry about; in general, it doesn’t have any severe side effects. Still, it’s best to follow the dosing guidelines written in the product package.
There’s no concrete study yet that measures the upper threshold of safe CBD levels in pets. That’s why new pet parents must stick to oral products like CBD oils, as they allow you to measure the dosage properly with the help of droppers.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to start with 1–5 mg of CBD per 10-pound body weight for dogs and 1-3 mg for cats. But maybe you accidentally give your furball extra drops of CBD oils and a few more threats than recommended.
Most of the time, your pet will get tired and sleep for a few more hours. The worst instances may cause slight dehydration and nausea, so visit your vet then. But most anecdotes demonstrate that pets become goofy, derpy, and lethargic after mistakenly taking more CBD than needed.
The Final Thoughts
To sum it up, in general, CBD works in pets within 30 minutes of consumption. This does not apply to all animals. CBD may take different times for different pets in your family. Why? Because your pet’s weight, metabolic rate, age, and body chemistry affect onset time.
Sublingual products like CBD oil will get absorbed faster, and effects will be seen within a few minutes. Whereas, edibles like soft chews and treats may take over an hour due to their low bioavailability. Depending on the use case and effects you seek, you can choose from different CBD products.
offer your pets tinctures for rapid travel anxiety relief; offer them CBD treats for a peaceful sleep the night before. Lower-quality brands may have less cannabinoids and lower-quality chemicals, affecting effects and onset time.
Hence, you should buy CBD oil for your pets only from well-known, tested, and reputed brands like Colorado Botanicals. Start with a small dose, follow the box instructions, and be consistent for optimum results.